Process of tanning hides and skins.



UNTTE S LEWIS T. HALL AND FRANK TUTTLE, 0F HOUSTON HEIGHTS, TEXAS; SAID TUTTLE ASSIGNUR TO SAID HALL.

PROCESS OF TANNING HIDES AND SKINS.

No Drawing.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, Lnwrs T. HALL and FRANK TUTTLE, both citizens of the United States, and both residing at Houston Heights, in the county of Harris and State of Texas, have invented new and useful Improvements in the Processes of Tanning Hides and Skins, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a process of tan ning hides and skins and has for its object to render the process more expeditious and considerably cheaper; by this process the hides and skins may be tanned and when finished may be given any desired tan or brown color and will emerge from the process in a soft and pliable condition.

#Vith the above and other objects in View, the hereinafter described process has been provided, which will now be explained:

An inclosed vat is provided and a quantity of an epiphytic Vegetable, known as southern moss, or tillandsia., is placed therein. This moss is found in abundant quantities in the southern portion of the United States along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico and grows upon various kinds of trees in large quantities. Steam is introduced into the vat until a pressure of approximately sixty pounds per square inch is attained and the moss is subjected to this steam pressure for from fifteen to twenty minutes and is thereby thoroughly softened and its pores opened.

The moss is then placed in an open vat and approximately twenty gallons of soft Water (preferably free from lime and other minerals) is poured into said vat for every fifty pounds of the treated moss therein. The temperature of the water is gradually raised to boiling point and after this point is reached the water is boiled until the volume of the liquid is reduced one-half. it usually requiring about two hours for this purpose. It has been found that about fifteen per cent. of the liquid thus attained will be composed of the juice thus extracted Gopies a! this patent may be obtained tor Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 19, 1918.

Application filed March 25, 1916. Serial No. 86,609.

from the moss, which produces the result of tannic acid, as has been proven by chemical tests. The whole is then allowed to gradually cool and the moss is subjected to a squeezing process in order to extract all of the juice therefrom. The hide to be treated is then suspended in the liquid for a period of approximately four days if placed in a stationary vat, or for aperiod of about twentyfour hours if in a revolving drum, or sometimes longer, the length of time depending upon the weight and thickness of the hide.

The hide is next placed in a similar vat containing the same kind of liquid, only being somewhat stronger in tillandsia juice and allowed to remain for approximately three days if placed in a stationary vat, or for a considerably shorter period if placed in a revolving drum, the length of time in each case varying somewhat in accordance with the weight and thickness of the hide, after which the hide is taken from the liquid, dried and finished in one of the well known methods.

In carrying out this process, it is not necessary to employ what may be termed the usual pickling process, which is now used in the ordinary processes of tanning.

The finished product may be given any of the desired colors, above referred to, the color depending upon the proportion of the amount of the tillandsia juice in the tanning liquid.

What we claim is:

1. The process of tanning hides and the like consisting of submerging the same in an infusion of tillandsia.

2. The process of tanning hides and the like consisting of submerging the same into -water infused with tillandsia.

LEWIS T. HALL. FRANK TUTTLE.

Witnesses:

J AMES G. DONOVAN, W. P. NEBLn'r'r.

five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

